Perth rich do their bit

Perth rich do their bit - The West Australian

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Mercedes-Benz Ball lived up to its title of one of the most successful charity events in the southern hemisphere on Saturday night in the Crown Perth grand ballroom.

The event's highly anticipated auction saw some of Perth's wealthiest people battle it out for unique and exclusive auction items.

Ronald McDonald House's star patron, cricketer Adam Gilchrist, was stuck in Singapore after his connecting flight from India was delayed, leaving his wife Mel to fulfil his role of delivering a passionate speech, which she said she only received at 5pm while trying to get ready for the ball and clean up four kids.

According to auctioneer Tim Gossage, Mel also brought along in the back of her car a piece straight from Gilly's personal collection - a framed glove signed by Gilly, Ian Healy and Rodney Marsh, which went for $4500.

Doug Brooks, of Brooks Hire, went over the reserve to pay $25,500 for a one-off piece of jewellery from Linneys. Brooks' wife Roma was out of the room during the auction and was overwhelmed with emotion when she returned to her table only to be handed the magnificent 18ct yellow gold and platinum pendant, featuring a golden South Sea pearl and white diamonds presented on a strand of green grey Tahitian pearls.

Two tickets to one of One Direction's Perth 2013 concerts, and a signed drum skin from the popular boy band, went for $10,000, while Crown Perth chief executive Barry Felstead came out on top after some fierce competition to land a private lunch for six people with Premier Colin Barnett at Parliament House for $17,000.

For all the glamour, see Social eyes in Seven Days in The Weekend West.